Cath Kerry-Food
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Asparagus & Sewing

18/3/2018

9 Comments

 
Picture


I’m in a bind over Phantom Thread.  Because I like a nice frock, better still a beautiful shoe, and I’ve been known to ply the needle, I‘ve been showered with “Have you seen…?  YOU are going to love it!”  My feelings are a bit mixed.
 
One does have to spend about two hours with a very difficult, not to say unpleasant person, Reynolds Woodcock. It would be shallow however, to dislike a film because the main character has Asperger’s syndrome, is bi-polar or just plain rude.  As a superb actor, Daniel Day-Lewis plays it to the hilt. On the plus side, it is visually gorgeous. His suits are a dream; he even polishes his shoes. (Sorry, today that is a big plus. You’re lucky if the trainers get a run in the washing machine occasionally.)
 
The couture is dowdy - but then again it is English.  What were Dior, Balenciaga, Givenchy doing at this time? But as a friend pointed out, he was at the end of his career. For a sewer, it is riveting to see the interior construction of these pieces (e.g tiny pads sitting at waist level to lift the skirt away from the body).  And Woodcock does thank his seamstresses every time for their beautiful work.
 
There are some instances where behavior and dialogue don’t fit this otherwise perfect period piece.  Since when does a young girl go for an evening ride with a man on whom she has only waited at breakfast, even if it is a Bristol 405. Anger and arguments are heavily accentuated with the “F” word (never thought I’d have an opportunity to write that) which is as out of place in the late ‘50s as are the Champagne flutes at a posh party they attend.
 
His sister Cyril should have got the Oscar.  I’m practising her manner in dealing with life's difficulties – pause, put down pen, remove glasses, look up, smooth hair behind the ears, then and only then, speak.

Critics have noted that the two main women in his life give as good as they get.  I disagree.  They speak the truth but he has no intention of changing.  Breakfast toast will continue to annoy him.
 
Food is part of the power struggle (breakfasts are important) and used as an expression of both love and tyranny but I’m not sure we can hail “Phantom Thread” as one of the great food films, even if he has a large appetite. Deborah Ross, film reviewer, describes Woodcock at the country inn.
 
“He orders Welsh rarebit with a poached egg (not too runny), bacon, scones, cream, jam (not strawberry), tea (Lapsang Souchong). There is a pause: ‘…and sausages’. He had me at ‘scones’, to be honest, but who other than Day-Lewis could make a breakfast order so powerfully seductive?”
 
But look for the following…
The restaurant treats its guests as adults, not flapping napkins onto laps.
Pudding or dessert is eaten with both a fork and spoon.
You'll be trying Lapsang Souchong again from an iron teapot , sipping from a raku bowl.
You’ll want to move your daily breakfast up a notch in decorum and setting.  The Wedgwood service is “Edme”, 1902 – 2014 (although it might be revived in 2018).
 
But the film is worth another viewing for one scene. I gasped and tears stung my eyes - the plate of simple asparagus.  Sublime.

Comment, Question, Enlighten below...

9 Comments
Ken
18/3/2018 05:19:43 pm

Wonderful writing and review - not sure if it was your intention but you’ve made me want to see it. Love your work Cath Kerry...

Reply
Cath link
18/3/2018 08:10:01 pm

See it but be prepared for slow and gloomy. The plate of asparagus is worth the ticket price. Not the best film I've ever seen but as with the asparagus, Cyril (his sister) is marvellous.

Thank you for the encouragement.

Reply
Kym
18/3/2018 07:15:52 pm

I felt also the film had many pluses and minuses. But, overall it was a film I had not wasted my time going to see. Unlike "Lady Bird" - I felt like walking out of this one.
Anyway, Phantom Thread portrayed that wonderful relationship between a male and female. The male being eccentric, difficult to live and with a brilliant mind. The female who is the one who can handle his difficult temperament.
So, there is:
- Reynolds Woodcock and his sister, Cyril.
- Howard Hughes and Katharine Hepburn.
- Winston Churchill and his wife, Clementine.
Any others?

Reply
Cath link
18/3/2018 08:12:59 pm

How about Roger and Catherine?

I'll take your advice on "Lady Bird".

I'm hoping to have Cyril as my mentor.

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Rick urg
19/3/2018 04:19:23 pm

I do wonder why we now get asparagus all year round.

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Roger Vincent
5/4/2018 06:09:25 pm

Hated this film. Who wants to spend 2 hours with such a dislikable, irritating, totally selfish prick.

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Michelle Chu link
20/5/2020 04:29:21 pm

Wonderful critic! I am so obsessed with this movie especially Cyril, this character and all the breakfast, dinner scenes. I even went on searching the breakfast Chinaware that they used at the breakfast scene, that simple, classic with carved stripes tea cup that Cyril's holding elegantly. And I have finally found it after rounds of rounds search, I have then bought this Edme coffee cup from the Wedgwood website. The soundtrack is a masterpiece! Every detail, every line and scene in this movie is a masterpiece.

Reply
The Blue Acorn
20/4/2021 11:05:05 pm

Dear Michelle, I'm responding directly to your comment here though I found it by googling 'Wedgwood Phantom Thread' I had worked out the pattern of the cup but you might be able to confirm that it is the COFFEE cup (out of the whole range) that Cyril drinks from. My partner and I are obsessed with this film and I want to get two of those cups as a surprise gift. Thanks if you notice my question!

Reply
Cath link
14/5/2021 08:24:03 am

I suspect that this very English dinner service may not have what we might call a demi-tasse - small cup for strong black coffee. Coffee could very well be served in a tea cup. Check out replacements.com - a fantastic American company where you can fill in lost pieces. (Unfortunately now, it's very expensive to have pieces shipped.)




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